West Coast Eagles defender Talia Radan has decided to hang up the boots following a glittering four-year stint in the AFLW.

Radan played 16 games at the highest level, representing Adelaide (2017-2018), Melbourne (2019) and West Coast (2020).

The South Australian achieved the ultimate with Adelaide in 2017, helping the Crows claim the inaugural AFLW premiership in a thrilling Grand Final triumph over minor premiers Brisbane.

She was recruited to West Coast with pick No.92 in the 2019 AFLW Draft to add much-needed experience to the club’s youthful list.

In concert with close friend Chantella Perera, Radan led the Eagles’ backline, steering the developing defensive unit around the field for all six of the club’s contests in 2020.

The 32-year-old said it felt appropriate to call time on her football journey following a fulfilling year with the Eagles.

“The way I see it, my experience at West Coast has been so positive that it’s actually made it easier for me to hang up the boots and walk away, because I feel really content and happy about the experience I’ve had being a part of the club,” Radan said.

“It’s been a really nice end to my career and I know it’s the right time for the younger kids to go ahead with what we started to build this year.

“I would just like to thank West Coast for allowing me to have such a positive end to my AFLW career. The club really reinvigorated my love for the game, so it’s a nice way to go out.

“I’m really looking forward to chasing some career advancement, doing something with this law degree of mine and pursing some opportunities that I haven’t had the time for in the past four years.”

While the 2017 premiership understandably sits atop her list of favourite footballing memories, Radan said it was closely rivalled by her first win in West Coast’s revered wings – the club’s maiden AFLW triumph against the Western Bulldogs in round four.

“There are two standout games of my career. The first is obviously the premiership win with Adelaide, but that is almost a blur because I was almost in shock and the emotions were so overwhelming,” Radan said.

“But the second is that first win we had at the Eagles; that is easily one of my most special moments in football.

“It really was a reward for all of the hard work everyone put in. It’s difficult to come in as a new team and we had to make up a lot of ground quickly to catch up to the rest of the comp. You could see after the final siren in everyone’s faces that we shared the same happiness and we knew that we were on the right track.

“I loved that moment and signing the song. It was really special because you only get to do that once at a club, there’s only ever one first win for a team. To be part of that, it was a highlight of my career.”

West Coast Eagles head of female football Adam Selwood said Radan played an important role in establishing the team’s culture.

“Leading in to last year’s draft, we felt the need to bring in someone who displayed fantastic values as a person, but also excellent on-field leadership,” Selwood said.

“Talia delivered on the field, but what she did in the cultural space for the club was terrific. We were so happy to have her as a member of our inaugural team and we understand now is probably a time where she has other interests and commitments back in South Australia that she needs to pursue.

“We are really thankful and grateful for what she did to set our club up and the legacy of what she was able to contribute will be felt for many years to come.”